Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Vol. 1
Elphinstone Dayrell
George W. Bateman
Edição bilíngue
Contos folclóricos africanos
Vol. 1
Elphinstone Dayrell
George W. Bateman
Tradução:
Gabriel Naldi
O FILHO DO MÉDICO E O REI DAS
COBRAS
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
Quando o garoto terminou seus estudos e já sabia ler, sua mãe o enviou a
um alfaiate para aprender a profissão. Não conseguiu. Depois, o mandou até
um ourives e ele tampouco foi capaz de dominar esse ofício. O menino tentou
diversos trabalhos, sem sucesso em nenhum deles. Enfim, sua mãe disse:
— Faz muito tempo que não os vejo — respondeu a mãe —, mas devem
estar no quarto dos fundos. Vá procurá-los.
No dia seguinte Hassee’boo, montado em seu burro, saiu com seus quatro
novos companheiros. Trabalharam muito e ganharam bastante dinheiro
durante seis dias. No sétimo, uma chuva muito forte levou todos a se
abrigarem em uma caverna.
Hassee’boo sentou-se sozinho. Como não havia nada para fazer, ele
começou a bater uma pequena pedra no chão. Surpreendeu-se com o ruído
surdo que o solo fazia, como se estivesse oco. Chamou os outros e disse:
— De onde veio esse escorpião? Deve haver uma abertura em algum lugar.
Vou tentar encontrá-la.
Olhou em volta até perceber um pequeno facho de luz que surgia de uma
fresta minúscula. Apanhou sua faca e escavou até abrir um buraco largo o
suficiente para que pudesse passar. Atravessou a abertura e saiu em um local
que nunca havia visto antes.
Notou uma trilha à sua frente. Seguiu por ela até encontrar uma casa
muito grande, cuja porta estava entreaberta. Lá dentro, viu que as portas eram
douradas e tinham chaves de pérola nas fechaduras, também douradas. A casa
estava cheia de lindas cadeiras incrustadas de joias e pedras preciosas. Na
antessala, encontrou um sofá coberto por uma colcha deslumbrante e se deitou
para descansar.
— Sou Sulta’nee Waa’ Neeo’ka, rei das cobras. Esta é minha casa. E você,
como se chama?
— De onde veio?
— Bem, não se preocupe com isso agora. Vamos comer. Imagino que esteja
com fome. Eu estou, pelo menos.
O rei ordenou que seus criados trouxessem comida. Foram servidas lindas
frutas. Todos comeram e beberam enquanto conversavam.
— Minha história é um tanto longa, mas posso lhe contar — disse o rei das
cobras. — Há muito tempo, saí desta casa e fui morar nas montanhas de Al
Kaaf. Queria mudar de ares. Um dia encontrei um estranho que passava por ali
e perguntei a ele:
“Meu nome é Bolookee’a e meu pai era um sultão. Quando ele morreu,
encontrei um pequeno baú, dentro do qual havia uma bolsa com uma caixinha
de latão. Nessa caixinha encontrei um pergaminho guardado dentro de um
pano de lã. O texto falava sobre um profeta. Dizia tantas coisas boas e
maravilhosas a seu respeito que tive vontade de conhecê-lo. No entanto,
quando comecei a perguntar às pessoas sobre ele, me disseram que ainda não
havia nascido. Então jurei que andaria pelo mundo até encontrá-lo. Deixei
minha cidade e minhas propriedades. Desde então estou vagando, mas ainda
não o encontrei.”
“E onde você espera achar esse homem, se ele ainda não nasceu?”,
perguntei ao andarilho. “Se você tivesse um pouco de água de serpente,
conseguiria se manter vivo até encontrá-lo. Mas talvez seja um conselho
inútil, pois não há água de serpente nessas redondezas.”
E assim nos despedimos e ele seguiu seu caminho. Andou até o Egito, onde
encontrou um homem que também lhe perguntou:
“Quem é você?”
Al Faan’ queria o anel de Salomão porque sabia que com ele teria grandes
poderes mágicos: controlaria os gênios e os pássaros. Bolookee’a queria apenas
conhecer o grande profeta.
Revelei aos homens o que a última árvore havia me dito. Era o que
procuravam. Retiraram uma grande quantidade de líquido de suas folhas e me
levaram de volta à montanha. Lá, eles me libertaram e seguiram seu caminho.
“Quem é você?”
“Um dos três escravos que voltaram contou a meu pai sobre a gazela e o
barco. O sultão começou a gritar que seu filho havia se perdido e, ao retornar
à cidade, decretou luto por considerar que eu estava morto.
“Um dos macacos propôs ao seu grupo que eu fosse nomeado sultão.
Outro respondeu que de nada adiantaria, pois já na manhã seguinte iríamos
embora. Um terceiro argumentou que não conseguiríamos fugir se eles
destruíssem nosso barco. E de fato, ao nos preparamos para ir embora no dia
seguinte, nossa embarcação estava em pedaços. Só nos restava continuar na
ilha com os primatas, que pareciam gostar muito de nós.
“Certo dia, enquanto eu caminhava, encontrei uma grande casa com uma
inscrição na porta:
Qualquer um que vier a esta ilha terá dificuldades em deixá-la, pois os macacos
estão em busca de um homem que seja seu rei. Tal homem pensará que não há como
fugir daqui, mas há uma saída ao norte. Ao seguir nessa direção, encontrará uma
grande planície repleta de leões, leopardos e cobras. O homem deverá lutar com todos
eles e, se vencê-los, poderá continuar. Então chegará a outra grande planície, habitada
por formigas ferozes, com dentes afiados e do tamanho de cães. Também deverá
vencê-las, somente então o caminho estará livre.
“Perambulei por muitos dias, comendo o que encontrava, até enfim chegar
a uma cidade. Lá fiquei por algum tempo em busca de trabalho, mas sem
sucesso.
“Ao chegarmos lá, ele me mostrou uma pele de camelo e pediu que eu a
vestisse. Segundo ele, se eu fizesse aquilo, um grande pássaro me carregaria até
uma montanha distante. Uma vez no topo, o tal pássaro arrancaria minha pele
de camelo e eu teria de afundar no chão as pedras preciosas que encontrasse.
Quando todas as pedras estivessem enfiadas na terra, o homem viria me
buscar.
“Tal como ele disse, vestiu-me com a pele e um pássaro veio e me levou
até a montanha. Estava prestes a me devorar, mas eu me desvencilhei e o
afugentei. Afundei muitas pedras preciosas e então chamei o homem para me
tirar dali, mas ele nunca veio.
“Julguei que logo estaria morto e andei por muitos dias por uma enorme
floresta, até encontrar uma casa. Era habitada por um velho, que me alimentou
até que eu recuperasse minhas forças.
“Um dia ele teve de sair e me deixou com um molho de chaves. Disse que
eu poderia abrir qualquer porta da casa, exceto uma, que me mostrou
apontando o dedo.
“É claro que foi a primeira porta que abri assim que ele saiu. Do outro lado
vi um grande jardim onde corria um riacho. Três pássaros pousaram em uma
de suas margens e imediatamente se transformaram nas mulheres mais lindas
que eu já vi. Observei-as enquanto se banhavam. Depois elas se vestiram
novamente, voltaram a se transformar em pássaros e saíram voando.
“Tranquei a porta e saí da casa. Não tinha fome e perambulei sem destino.
Quando o velho voltou, percebeu algo estranho e me perguntou o que havia
de errado. Contei a ele sobre as lindas moças e disse que estava apaixonado
por uma delas. Se não pudesse me casar com ela, certamente morreria.
“Assim fiz. Quando voltaram para outro banho, roubei os trajes da irmã
mais nova, que se chamava Sayadaa’tee Shems.
“Como esperado, ela saiu do riacho e procurou por suas roupas, sem saber
o que estava acontecendo.
“Ao voltar para casa, soube de sua fuga e saí à sua procura. Perambulei por
muitos anos até chegar a uma cidade. Um dos moradores quis saber meu nome
e quem era meu pai. Respondi que era Jan Sha, filho de Taaeeghamus.
Perguntou-me então se eu era o marido de sua senhora. A ouvir o nome dela,
Sayadaa’tee Shems, gritei extasiado que sim, era eu mesmo.
“Levaram-me até ela. Fui apresentado ao seu pai e ela revelou que
havíamos nos casado. Todos ficaram felizes.
“Decidimos então visitar nossa velha casa. Um dos gênios de seu pai nos
carregou até lá, em uma viagem de três dias. Ficamos na casa por três anos,
depois retornamos, e pouco tempo depois de nossa volta minha esposa
morreu. Meu sogro me ofereceu outra de suas filhas em casamento como
consolo, mas eu estava desolado. Desde então, estou de luto. Essa é minha
história.”
E Bolookee’a então seguiu seu caminho, andando sem destino, até morrer.
O rei então o levou de volta para casa de sua mãe, que ficou radiante ao ver
Hassee’boo vivo.
O vizir do sultão, por razões que só ele conhecia, colocou soldados a postos
em todos os banhos públicos da cidade, com instruções para capturar qualquer
um que aparecesse para se banhar e tivesse uma marca na barriga.
Apenas três dias após ter voltado à sua cidade, Hassee’boo, completamente
esquecido do aviso de Sultaanee Waa Neeoka, foi ao banho com outras
pessoas. Acabou capturado pelos soldados e levado ao palácio, onde o vizir lhe
disse:
Hassee’boo foi amarrado e açoitado até suas costas ficarem em carne viva.
Incapaz de suportar a dor, finalmente cedeu:
Então guiou os soldados até a casa do rei das cobras. Sultaanee Waa
Neeoka recebeu-o com a frase:
— O vizir.
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
— Mamãe, estamos sempre passando fome. Que trabalho meu pai fazia
para nos sustentar?
No dia seguinte, foi à floresta cortar galhos das árvores e voltou à noite.
Certa manhã, viu um macaco preso em uma das arapucas. Estava prestes a
matá-lo quando o animal disse:
— Volte, filho de Adão! Não diga aos aldeões para virem aqui me matar.
Eu sou Neeo’ka, a cobra. Me liberte, eu lhe imploro. Salve-me da chuva hoje,
pois talvez um dia eu consiga salvá-lo do sol.
— Não fuja! Eu sou Sim’ba Kong’way, o velho leão. Deixe-me sair desta
armadilha, não o machucarei. Salve-me da chuva, pois eu poderei salvá-lo do
sol quando você precisar.
— Mãe, pegue a pouca carne que nos resta e faça sete tortas. Vou caçar
com meu arco e flecha.
Ela assou as tortas para ’Mvoo Laa’na, que as levou em sua incursão na
floresta.
— Aqui tem bastante comida. Há algo mais que você queira? Está com
sede?
’Mvoo Laa’na sentou-se e Simba sumiu na floresta, mas logo voltou com
caça e também trouxe fogo. O rapaz cozinhou a carne e sentiu-se muito
melhor após comer. Despediram-se e tomaram caminhos opostos.
Então ’Mvoo Laa’na seguiu pela estrada que levava à cidade principal,
quando viu um poço com um balde ao lado. Disse para si mesmo:
— É exatamente o que eu precisava: tomar um pouco de boa água de um
poço. Deixe-me ver se o balde chega até o fundo.
Olhou pela borda para verificar a altura da água e encontrou uma grande
cobra dentro do poço, que assim que o viu disse:
’Mvoo Laa’na entregou sua pequena bolsa à Neeo’ka, que a encheu com
correntes de ouro e prata, dizendo que ele poderia usá-las como julgasse
melhor. Os dois se despediram amavelmente e se separaram.
Assim que teve uma oportunidade, o homem foi até o sultão e disse:
— Como isso é possível? Essa é a grande cobra que vive no poço. Ela está
deitada ao seu lado. Mande-a embora.
— Por que esse homem o convidou para jantar em sua casa e depois o
acusou? — perguntou o sultão.
GORILA
Local
Nação Njambi
Personagens
Rei Njina (gorila) e sua filha
Njâgu (elefante)
Nguwu (hipopótamo)
Njĕgâ (leopardo)
A trapaça de Telinga não o fez ganhar a esposa, mas foi o motivo pelo qual
os micos atualmente vivem em bandos numerosos nas árvores e não mais no
chão, como antigamente. Todos são muito parecidos, o que impede que sejam
distinguidos uns dos outros.
Os leões não vivem junto aos gorilas e é por isso que esses primatas
também eram chamados de Rei dos Animais, em razão de seus braços fortes e
longos.
O Rei Gorila teve uma filha cuja beleza era enaltecida por todos. Quando a
menina atingiu a idade de se casar, o rei mandou avisar a todas as tribos
que não aceitaria dotes comuns para oferecê-la em casamento. Somente aquele
capaz de cumprir a seguinte tarefa seria seu genro: havia um novo tipo de
água, nunca antes vista, e quem fosse capaz de beber um barril inteiro dessa
água seria merecedor do prêmio cobiçado por tantos.
— Você, Njâgu, com todo esse tamanho teme um barril de água? Rá! Eu
passo metade do meu tempo na água. Quando estou com sede, os peixes do rio
têm medo de ficar sem casa.
— Então eu, Telinga, mesmo pequeno como sou, gostaria de ter uma
chance.
— Mantenho minha palavra real. Você pode fazer sua tentativa.
Não se sabe o que a jovem princesa pensou ao ver que não se casaria com
nenhum dos belos pretendentes, como o Antílope ou outros animais
graciosos. Quando Telinga tentou se aproximar dela, o Leopardo e os outros
avançaram sobre ele, gritando:
— Seu nanico miserável! Se não podemos nos casar com ela, você também
não poderá! Você vai ver! Tome isso! E isso! — e o atacaram com socos, chutes
e mordidas.
Aterrorizado, Telinga fugiu para o bosque, deixando sua noiva para trás.
Desde então, ele e sua tribo vivem nas copas das árvores, pois têm medo
de voltar ao chão.
GA’SO, O PROFESSOR
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
— Parem! Eu sou Koosee, o vento do sul. Por que me batem? O que eu fiz?
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Koosee. Foi você quem derrubou a cabaça e matou
Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Koosee se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
Keeyambaaza se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
Paanya se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Paaka. É você quem come Paanya, o rato, que rói
Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que
derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Paaka se defendeu:
— Se eu fosse tão poderoso, seria amarrado por uma corda?
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Kaam’ba. É você quem amarra Paaka, o gato, que
come Paanya, o rato, que rói Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que bloqueia
Koosee, o vento do sul, que derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor.
Não devia ter feito isso.
Kaam’ba se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Keesoo. Você corta Kaam’ba, a corda, que amarra
Paaka, o gato, que come Paanya, o rato, que rói Keeyambaaza, a parede de
barro, que bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que derrubou a cabaça e matou
Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Keesoo se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Moto. Você queima Keesoo, a faca, que corta
Kaam’ba, a corda, que amarra Paaka, o gato, que come Paanya, o rato, que rói
Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que
derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Moto se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Maajee. Você apaga Moto, o fogo, que queima
Keesoo, a faca, que corta Kaam’ba, a corda, que amarra Paaka, o gato, que
come Paanya, o rato, que rói Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que bloqueia
Koosee, o vento do sul, que derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor.
Não devia ter feito isso.
Maajee se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
—Sabemos que você é Ng’ombay. Você bebe Maajee, a água, que apaga
Moto, o fogo, que queima Keesoo, a faca, que corta Kaam’ba, a corda, que
amarra Paaka, o gato, que come Paanya, o rato, que rói Keeyambaaza, a parede
de barro, que bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que derrubou a cabaça e matou
Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Ng’ombay se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Eenzee. Você atormenta Ng’ombay, o boi, que bebe
Maajee, a água, que apaga Moto, o fogo, que queima Keesoo, a faca, que corta
Kaam’ba, a corda, que amarra Paaka, o gato, que come Paanya, o rato, que rói
Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que
derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
Eenzee se defendeu:
E os meninos responderam:
— Sabemos que você é Paa. Você come Eenzee, a mosca, que atormenta
Ng’ombay, o boi, que bebe Maajee, a água, que apaga Moto, o fogo, que
queima Keesoo, a faca, que corta Kaam’ba, a corda, que amarra Paaka, o gato,
que come Paanya, o rato, que rói Keeyambaaza, a parede de barro, que
bloqueia Koosee, o vento do sul, que derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso
professor. Não devia ter feito isso.
— Vejam só! Não é capaz de dizer uma palavra sequer para se defender.
Foi ela mesma quem derrubou a cabaça e matou Ga’so, nosso professor.
Vamos pegá-la!
DOMÉSTICOS?
Personagens
Tomba-Ya-Taba (bode)
Njâ (leopardo)
Ko (rato silvestre)
Njâku (elefante)
Homem
Nyati (boi)
O Bode vivia com sua mãe na aldeia. Um dia ele disse:
Então os ratos silvestres chegaram e lutaram com o Bode. Mais uma vez,
todos foram derrotados e voltaram para casa.
— Vá embora daqui! O Leopardo está matando nosso povo por sua causa.
Então foram até a aldeia do Tio Antílope e contaram tudo o que estava
acontecendo.
— Pois fiquem em minha casa! — disse Vyâdu. — Quero ver se Njâ tem
coragem de aparecer aqui!
— Qual é o problema? Por que você está bravo com meu sobrinho?
— Venha hoje à noite e mostrarei onde dormem. Faça o que quiser com
eles, mas não me mate.
Quando o sol se pôs, o Bode e sua mãe fugiram para a casa do Elefante. O
Leopardo voltou à aldeia do Antílope por volta da meia noite, conforme o
combinado. Procurou em todas as casas do vilarejo e, contrariado por não
encontrar o Bode, foi até o Antílope e o matou.
E como o Bode e sua mãe fugiram para a aldeia do Boi, o Elefante teve o
mesmo destino que o Antílope: acabou assassinado pelo felino.
O Leopardo então foi até a aldeia do Boi, que repetiu a mesma conversa e
teve o mesmo destino dos outros antes dele. Foi assassinado, mas o Bode
conseguiu escapar.
Notou uma trilha que levava até uma casa. Abriu o que acreditou ser uma
porta e caiu na armadilha. Podia ver o Bode pelas aberturas da parede, sem
conseguir tocá-lo.
— Meu amigo! Você queria me matar, mas não vai conseguir — caçoou o
Bode.
Local
Cidade do rei Mborakinda
Personagens
Rei Mborakinda
Ilâmbe, a princesa
Ra-Marânge, médico
Njĕgâ (leopardo)
Ogula-Ya-Mpazya-Vazya, o feiticeiro
PREFÁCIO
I sso aconteceu na cidade onde o rei Mborakinda, adorado por todos, vivia
com suas esposas e filhos.
— Além do mais, não me casarei com nenhum homem que tenha qualquer
mancha na pele, por menor que seja — afirmou Ilâmbe.
Apesar de seu pai não concordar com tal desejo, não a proibiu.
— Não! Mesmo que seja uma mancha minúscula, não me casarei com
você!
E assim todos eram rejeitados, pois ela sempre encontrava alguma cicatriz
ou qualquer erupção na pele. Após tantas recusas, a fama da linda filha do rei
Mborakinda, que não aceitava nenhum pretendente por conta de manchas na
pele, chegou a outros países.
— Ah, essa linda mulher! Ouvi dizer que é linda e que ninguém consegue
conquistá-la. Também farei minha tentativa, mas antes vou consultar Ra-
Marânge.
Foi visitar o médico feiticeiro e lhe contou tudo sobre a linda filha do rei
Mborakinda que não aceitava ninguém por ser tão criteriosa com seus
pretendentes.
Após fazer o pedido ao rei, Ogula recebeu a resposta padrão: que fosse
conversar diretamente com a princesa para saber se ela gostaria. Quando
chegou à casa de Ilâmbe, ela ficou imediatamente encantada com sua beleza.
— Eu te amo. Estou aqui para me casar com você — disse Ogula. — Você já
rejeitou muitos, e sei o motivo, mas acredito que ficará satisfeita comigo.
Estava tão animada que continuou examinando a bela pele de seu noivo
por mais alguns minutos. Então saiu e pediu a seus criados que trouxessem
comida e água para ele. Ogula continuou na casa por alguns dias, sem vontade
de voltar à sua cidade natal, pois se sentia amado por Ilâmbe.
No terceiro dia, Ogula foi dizer ao rei Mborakinda que queria levar Ilâmbe
para morar com ele. O rei consentiu.
— Sim.
— Mas pai, por que não posso pegar o cavalo mais saudável e deixar o
fraco? — argumentou Ilâmbe.
Ilâmbe apanhou o cavalo indicado por seu pai e voltou para o palácio.
Estava tudo preparado para sua viagem. O rei ordenou que alguns criados a
acompanhassem, para carregar a bagagem e ajudá-la a se adaptar à nova
cidade. Os recém-casados se despediram e partiram, ambos montados no
Kabala.
— Minha esposa, espere aqui com o Kabala e seus criados enquanto vou na
frente. Volto logo.
E saía para caçar como leopardo, voltando tarde da noite. Isso se repetia
frequentemente.
— Que perigo? Se seu pai não tivesse me enviado junto com você, o que
aconteceria? — perguntou o Cavalo. — O que acha que aconteceu com seus
criados? Você não sabe, mas eu sei. Pensa que simplesmente desapareceram?
Pois então saiba o que aconteceu: seu marido os devorou! Por isso sumiram.
A princesa não acreditou em suas palavras e contestou:
Duas noites mais tarde, mais uma dama de companhia sumiu. Algum
tempo depois, Ogula-Njĕgâ saiu para caçar, com a intenção de, caso não
apanhasse nenhum animal, devorar sua esposa.
A mãe do Leopardo passava pela rua e ouviu a conversa. “Por que Ilâmbe
conversa com o Cavalo como se ele fosse gente?”, pensou ela, mas não
comentou nada com sua nora.
Ogula-Njĕgâ voltou ao cair da noite. Não disse nada, mas estava com uma
expressão séria. Ilâmbe estava inquieta e o olhar de seu marido a amedrontava.
Mais tarde, quando estavam prestes a ir dormir, ela perguntou:
— Por que você está com essa cara? Está bravo com alguma coisa?
Ilâmbe não conseguiu dormir. O Leopardo saiu logo cedo, dizendo que
tinha coisas a resolver, mas que voltaria logo. Enquanto seu marido estava
fora, a princesa sentiu-se solitária e foi conversar com o cavalo, que
considerou aquele o momento ideal para fugirem. Partiram imediatamente,
sem avisar ninguém da aldeia e levaram consigo as três cabaças. Não podiam
perder tempo, disse o Cavalo, pois quando o Leopardo descobrisse, iria atrás
deles a toda velocidade. Kabala corria o mais rápido que podia, olhando para
trás de vez em quando para averiguar se não estavam sendo seguidos.
— Eu não avisei? Ele está atrás de nós! — o Cavalo gritou ofegante, com
espuma pingando de sua boca.
Quando o Leopardo chegou mais perto, Kabala pediu para Ilâmbe pegar a
cabaça com amendoins e espalhá-los pelo chão. Ogula-Njĕgâ, ao ver os
amendoins, parou para comê-los. Com isso, o Cavalo conseguiu ganhar
distância sobre seu perseguidor. Logo o felino já havia retomado a corrida e se
aproximava dos dois. O Cavalo então pediu para Ilâmbe jogar as sementes de
cabaceira. Mais uma vez, o Leopardo parou para comê-las e os fugitivos
abriram vantagem novamente.
— Não sabemos o que ele vai fazer agora — disse o Cavalo. — Talvez ele dê
a volta para nos surpreender. Há uma cidade aqui perto, o melhor a fazer é
ficarmos lá um ou dois dias para tentar despistá-lo.
E acrescentou:
Foi convidada a uma das casas, onde foi acolhida e informada sobre os
horários das refeições e outras atividades. No segundo dia, ao andar pela
cidade, os homens comentaram:
— Vou avisar mais uma vez. Amanhã, durante o banho com os outros,
você pode se despir, pois está com o corpo de um homem. Mas é apenas
temporário. Ficaremos aqui apenas mais um dia e uma noite, depois
partiremos.
— Como pôde dizer que era uma mulher? Veja que homem forte ele é!
— Eis o que você deve fazer amanhã: logo cedo, pegue seu revólver e me
mate. Ao ouvir o disparo, os homens virão acusá-la de ter me matado sem
razão. Não responda e não diga nada a eles. Corte-me em pedaços e os atire no
fogo. Depois, bem cedo na manhã seguinte, antes de todos acordarem, recolha
as cinzas cuidadosamente e espalhe-as na entrada da aldeia. Você verá o que
vai acontecer.
Naquele dia, à tarde, chegaram à cidade do rei Mborakinda. Uma vez lá,
contaram (ou melhor, o Cavalo contou) tudo o que havia acontecido. Ilâmbe
se sentia envergonhada por todos os apuros que sua exigência por um marido
de pele lisa havia lhe causado.
Todo o povo deu as boas-vindas a Ilâmbe, que voltou para sua casa e
nunca mais falou nada sobre peles lisas.
1 Presente de casamento.
2 Cavalo.
O TAMBOR MÁGICO
Personagens
Kudu (Cágado)
Njâ (Leopardo)
Este conto explica a razão pela qual a tribo dos cágados vive somente na
água: eles têm medo de que os descendentes do Rei Leopardo se vinguem dos
açoites que os ancestrais do Cágado lhe infligiram.
Certo dia, o Cágado saiu cedo de sua casa e adentrou a selva, procurando
um tipo especial de alimento: cogumelos.
— Estou morto de fome, vou subir pelo tronco e apanhar os frutos — disse
a si mesmo.
E saltou para a água — tchibum! Afundou no local onde o coco havia caído,
mas ambos foram apanhados pela correnteza e levados por uma boa distância
até chegarem a uma curva na qual o leito se alargava criando uma praia. Mais
adiante havia um vilarejo desconhecido onde erguia-se uma grande casa.
Havia pessoas ao redor e dentro dela. As que estavam fora chamaram o
Cágado, e ele pôde ouvir alguém gritando lá de dentro:
— Leve-me! Leve-me!
Quando o Cágado fez isso, instantaneamente surgiu uma mesa com vários
tipos de comida. Após comer, disse ao tambor:
— Guarde!
E a mesa desapareceu.
No mesmo instante, do tambor surgiu uma longa mesa, com vários tipos
de comida. O Cágado ficou muito feliz com toda aquela abundância. Comeu
até se fartar e repetiu a ordem:
— Curve-se!
A árvore obedeceu e ele amarrou o tambor em um galho. Ao chegar na
cidade, deu os cocos e cogumelos a suas esposas e filhos. Quando entraram
todos em casa, sua esposa principal perguntou:
O dia escureceu logo e foram todos dormir. O novo dia não tardaria. Ao
amanhecer, o Cágado voltou ao lugar onde havia deixado o tambor. Logo que
chegou à árvore, ordenou:
— Guarde tudo!
— Curve-se!
Aquilo continuou por mais alguns dias. O Cágado ia até a árvore, repetia o
mesmo processo, comia e voltava para casa, sempre levando comida para sua
família. Seu filho, de tanto observar escondido, já sabia o que seu pai fazia.
Então foi sozinho até a árvore e disse:
— Curve-se!
— Guarde tudo!
Ao se aproximar da árvore, ainda a uma certa distância, viu que ela estava
reta como de costume, mas o tambor havia sumido.
Então foi até ela, e de fato o tambor não estava mais lá. Ainda tentou dar
seu comando:
— Curve-se!
Mas nada aconteceu. Voltou à cidade, apanhou seu machado e voltou ao
local.
Chegou em casa tão desgostoso que não quis falar com ninguém. Então
seu filho mais velho foi até ele e disse:
— Meu pai, por que está tão calado? O que aconteceu na floresta?
— Você nos trouxe cogumelos, mas ficava mais feliz quando trazia comida
para nós. Fui eu que peguei o tambor.
— Não temos mais nada hoje, mas volte amanhã e dividiremos com você
— respondeu Kudu.
O Leopardo então voltou para sua casa.
E foi sozinho até o coqueiro (onde, durante a noite, havia levado o tambor
sem que ninguém visse). Quis fazer um teste para confirmar que o
instrumento não havia perdido seu poder por ter sido usado na cidade. Então
deu os comandos de sempre, que foram prontamente atendidos. Voltou para a
cidade com o tambor nos ombros, à vista de todos, e foi direto à casa do
Leopardo.
Sob as mesmas ordens, o tambor fez aparecer uma mesa com abundância
de comida. Depois de todos comerem, a mesa foi recolhida. O tambor ficou na
casa do Leopardo por duas semanas. Usavam-no de maneira tão excessiva que
o instrumento se aborreceu e, exaurido, não produzia mais nenhuma comida.
Kudu ficou irritado com o mau uso de seu tambor, mas ainda assim o
pegou e o guardou em sua casa.
— Kudu.
— O que eu fiz para que o rei me chamasse? Desde que moramos neste
país, ele nunca quis falar comigo.
E assim aconteceu. Surgiu uma mesa que se estendia por toda a cidade,
com uma imensa variedade de pratos. Todos os animais comeram o quanto
conseguiram e depois foram embora. O Cágado guardou seu tambor e voltou
para casa. Ao chegar, pediu para que sua família se reunisse. Bateu novamente
no tambor. Não houve nenhum som e nada saiu dele. Bateu novamente. Nada.
O instrumento sentia-se ofendido por ter sido tocado por outras mãos que não
as de Kudu. A família passou a noite sem comer.
No dia seguinte, o Cágado correu até o coqueiro, escalou-o, apanhou dois
cocos e jogou um terceiro no rio. Pulou na água e seguiu o coco pela
correnteza, como havia feito antes. Chegou ao remoto vilarejo e contou à
mulher sobre o que havia acontecido com o tambor. Ela respondeu que já
esperava aquilo e mandou-o pegar um novo tambor. Kudu voltou à grande
casa e reencontrou as mesmas pessoas de antes:
— Leve-me! Leve-me!
“Acho que desta vez vou levar um tambor falante”, pensou o Cágado.
No mesmo instante surgiu uma grande mesa, mas sobre ela, em vez de
comida, havia chicotes. O Cágado ficou surpreso e repetiu:
— Como sempre!
Na manhã seguinte, o rei fez soarem os sinos e toda sua corte dirigiu-se ao
palácio, juntamente com as famílias do Cágado e do Leopardo. Kudu disse a
seus familiares que não entrassem na mansão do rei, mas que esperassem do
lado de fora na janela.
E todas foram fechadas, exceto uma que Kudu manteve aberta próxima de
si. O Cágado bateu em seu tambor e ordenou:
O Cágado saltou pela janela logo depois de dar a ordem ao tambor. Lá fora,
depois de algum tempo, gritou novamente:
— Para sua sorte, é bom que não nos vejamos mais! Se eu o encontrar
novamente, vou matá-lo!
ELPHINSTONE DAYRELL
á muitos e muitos anos, o Sol e a Água eram grandes amigos e viviam juntos
H
na Terra. O Sol sempre visitava a Água, que nunca retribuía suas
visitas. Um dia o Sol perguntou à amiga por que ela nunca o visitara
em sua casa. A Água respondeu que a casa do Sol era muito pequena
e que ela e seu povo não caberiam lá. E disse ainda:
— Se você quer que eu o visite, construa uma grande aldeia. Terá de ser
realmente imensa. Meu povo é numeroso e ocupamos muito espaço.
Assim que a aldeia ficou pronta, o Sol convidou a Água para se hospedar
lá.
Antes de entrar, a Água perguntou se o local era de fato seguro para ela e
seus familiares.
Logo tudo ficou coberto por um metro de Água, então ela perguntou:
Sem se darem conta da situação, Sol e Lua responderam que sim. A Água
continuou entrando até que os donos da casa tiveram de subir no telhado.
A Água perguntou mais uma vez ao Sol, que reiterou sua permissão. Cada
vez mais água e animais aquáticos foram entrando até que o telhado também
ficou submerso. O Sol e a Lua acabaram forçados a subir ao céu, onde vivem
desde então.
African Folk Tales
Volume 1
Elphinstone Dayrell
George W. Bateman
OF THE SNAKES
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
nce there was a very learned physician, who died leaving his wife
with a little baby boy, whom, when he was old enough, she named,
O according to his father’s wish, Hassee′boo Kareem′ Ed Deen′.
When the boy had been to school, and had learned to read, his mother
sent him to a tailor, to learn his trade, but he could not learn it. Then he was
sent to a silversmith, but he could not learn his trade either. After that he tried
many trades, but could learn none of them. At last his mother said, “Well, stay
at home for a while;” and that seemed to suit him.
One day he asked his mother what his father’s business had been, and she
told him he was a very great physician.
“Well, it’s a long time since I saw them,” replied his mother, “but I think
they are behind there. Look and see.”
So he hunted around a little and at last found them, but they were almost
ruined by insects, and he gained little from them.
At last, four of the neighbors came to his mother and said, “Let your boy
go along with us and cut wood in the forest.” It was their business to cut
wood, load it on donkeys, and sell it in the town for making fires.
“All right,” said she; “to-morrow I’ll buy him a donkey, and he can start
fair with you.”
So the next day Hasseeboo, with his donkey, went off with those four
persons, and they worked very hard and made a lot of money that day. This
continued for six days, but on the seventh day it rained heavily, and they had
to get under the rocks to keep dry.
Now, Hasseeboo sat in a place by himself, and, having nothing else to do,
he picked up a stone and began knocking on the ground with it. To his
surprise the ground gave forth a hollow sound, and he called to his
companions, saying, “There seems to be a hole under here.”
Upon hearing him knock again, they decided to dig and see what was the
cause of the hollow sound; and they had not gone very deep before they broke
into a large pit, like a well, which was filled to the top with honey.
They didn’t do any firewood chopping after that, but devoted their entire
attention to the collection and sale of the honey.
With a view to getting it all out as quickly as possible, they told Hasseeboo
to go down into the pit and dip out the honey, while they put it in vessels and
took it to town for sale. They worked for three days, making a great deal of
money.
At last there was only a little honey left at the very bottom of the pit, and
they told the boy to scrape that together while they went to get a rope to haul
him out.
But instead of getting the rope, they decided to let him remain in the pit,
and divide the money among themselves. So, when he had gathered the
remainder of the honey together, and called for the rope, he received no
answer; and after he had been alone in the pit for three days he became
convinced that his companions had deserted him.
Then those four persons went to his mother and told her that they had
become separated in the forest, that they had heard a lion roaring, and that
they could find no trace of either her son or his donkey.
His mother, of course, cried very much, and the four neighbors pocketed
her son’s share of the money.
To return to Hasseeboo.
He passed the time walking about the pit, wondering what the end would
be, eating scraps of honey, sleeping a little, and sitting down to think.
So he searched around until he saw light through a tiny crack; and he took
his knife and scooped and scooped, until he had made a hole big enough to
pass through; then he went out, and came upon a place he had never seen
before.
Seeing a path, he followed it until he came to a very large house, the door
of which was not fastened. So he went inside, and saw golden doors, with
golden locks, and keys of pearl, and beautiful chairs inlaid with jewels and
precious stones, and in a reception room he saw a couch covered with a
splendid spread, upon which he lay down.
Presently he found himself being lifted off the couch and put in a chair,
and heard some one saying: “Do not hurt him; wake him gently,” and on
opening his eyes he found himself surrounded by numbers of snakes, one of
them wearing beautiful royal colors.
“Well, don’t bother yourself just now. Let’s eat; I guess you are hungry,
and I know I am.”
Then the king gave orders, and some of the other snakes brought the
finest fruits, and they ate and drank and conversed.
When the repast was ended, the king desired to hear Hasseeboo’s story; so
he told him all that had happened, and then asked to hear the story of his host.
“Well,” said the king of the snakes, “mine is rather a long story, but you
shall hear it. A long time ago I left this place, to go and live in the mountains
of Al Kaaf′, for the change of air. One day I saw a stranger coming along, and I
said to him, ‘Where are you from?’ and he said, ‘I am wandering in the
wilderness.’ ‘Whose son are you?’ I asked. ‘My name is Bolookee′a. My father
was a sultan; and when he died I opened a small chest, inside of which I found
a bag, which contained a small brass box; when I had opened this I found
some writing tied up in a woolen cloth, and it was all in praise of a prophet.
He was described as such a good and wonderful man, that I longed to see him;
but when I made inquiries concerning him I was told he was not yet born.
Then I vowed I would wander until I should see him. So I left our town, and
all my property, and I am wandering, but I have not yet seen that prophet.’
“Then I said to him, ‘Where do you expect to find him, if he’s not yet
born? Perhaps if you had some serpent’s water you might keep on living until
you find him. But it’s of no use talking about that; the serpent’s water is too far
away.’
“‘Well,’ he said, ‘good-bye. I must wander on.’ So I bade him farewell, and
he went his way.
“Now, when that man had wandered until he reached Egypt, he met
another man, who asked him, ‘Who are you?’
“‘I have left my home, and my property, and I am seeking the prophet.
“‘H’m!’ said Al Faan; ‘I can tell you of a better occupation than looking for a
man that is not born yet. Let us go and find the king of the snakes and get him
to give us a charm medicine; then we will go to King Solomon and get his
rings, and we shall be able to make slaves of the genii and order them to do
whatever we wish.’
“And Bolookeea said, ‘I have seen the king of the snakes in the mountain
of Al Kaaf.’
“As they went along, Al Faan said to Bolookeea, ‘Let us make a cage and
entice the king of the snakes into it; then we will shut the door and carry him
off.’
“So they made a cage, and put therein a cup of milk and a cup of wine, and
brought it to Al Kaaf; and I, like a fool, went in, drank up all the wine and
became drunk. Then they fastened the door and took me away with them.
“We went on until we came to a place where there were a great number
and variety of trees; and when those trees saw me, they said, ‘I am medicine
for this;’ ‘I am medicine for that;’ ‘I am medicine for the head;’ ‘I am medicine
for the feet;’ and presently one tree said, ‘If any one puts my medicine upon his
feet he can walk on water.’
“When I told that to those men they said, ‘That is what we want;’ and they
took a great deal of it.
“Then they took me back to the mountain and set me free; and we said
good-bye and parted.
“When they left me, they went on their way until they reached the sea,
when they put the medicine on their feet and walked over. Thus they went
many days, until they came near to the place of King Solomon, where they
waited while Al Faan prepared his medicines.
“When they arrived at King Solomon’s place, he was sleeping, and was
being watched by genii, and his hand lay on his chest, with the ring on his
finger.
“As Bolookeea drew near, one of the genii said to him ‘Where are you
going?’ And he answered, ‘I’m here with Al Faan; he’s going to take that ring.’
‘Go back,’ said the genie; ‘keep out of the way. That man is going to die.’
“Picking himself up, and still believing in the power of his medicines, he
approached the ring again, when a strong breath blew upon him and he was
burnt to ashes in a moment.
“While Bolookeea was looking at all this, a voice said, ‘Go your way; this
wretched being is dead.’ So he returned; and when he got to the sea again he
put the medicine upon his feet and passed over, and continued to wander for
many years.
“‘Well, sit down, and I’ll tell you my story from beginning to end. My
name is Jan Shah, and my father is Tooeegha′mus, a great sultan. He used to
go every day into the forest to shoot game; so one day I said to him, “Father,
let me go with you into the forest to-day;” but he said, “Stay at home. You are
better there.” Then I cried bitterly, and as I was his only child, whom he loved
dearly, he couldn’t stand my tears, so he said: “Very well; you shall go. Don’t
cry.”
“‘Thus we went to the forest, and took many attendants with us; and when
we reached the place we ate and drank, and then every one set out to hunt.
“‘I and my seven slaves went on until we saw a beautiful gazelle, which we
chased as far as the sea without capturing it. When the gazelle took to the
water I and four of my slaves took a boat, the other three returning to my
father, and we chased that gazelle until we lost sight of the shore, but we
caught it and killed it. Just then a great wind began to blow, and we lost our
way.
“‘When the other three slaves came to my father, he asked them, “Where
is your master?” and they told him about the gazelle and the boat. Then he
cried, “My son is lost! My son is lost!” and returned to the town and mourned
for me as one dead.
“‘After a time we came to an island, where there were a great many birds.
We found fruit and water, we ate and drank, and at night we climbed into a
tree and slept till morning.
“‘In the morning we got away as soon as possible, and came to a third
island. Looking around for food, we saw a tree full of fruit like red-streaked
apples; but, as we were about to pick some, we heard a voice say, “Don’t touch
this tree; it belongs to the king.” Toward night a number of monkeys came,
who seemed much pleased to see us, and they brought us all the fruit we could
eat.
“‘Presently I heard one of them say, “Let us make this man our sultan.”
Then another one said: “What’s the use? They’ll all run away in the morning.”
But a third one said, “Not if we smash their boat.” Sure enough, when we
started to leave in the morning, our boat was broken in pieces. So there was
nothing for it but to stay there and be entertained by the monkeys, who
seemed to like us very much.
“‘One day, while strolling about, I came upon a great stone house, having
an inscription on the door, which said, “When any man comes to this island,
he will find it difficult to leave, because the monkeys desire to have a man for
their king. If he looks for a way to escape, he will think there is none; but
there is one outlet, which lies to the north. If you go in that direction you will
come to a great plain, which is infested with lions, leopards, and snakes. You
must fight all of them; and if you overcome them you can go forward. You
will then come to another great plain, inhabited by ants as big as dogs; their
teeth are like those of dogs, and they are very fierce. You must fight these also,
and if you overcome them, the rest of the way is clear.”
“‘As we all had weapons, we set forth; and when we came to the first plain
we fought, and two of my slaves were killed. Then we went on to the second
plain, fought again; my other two slaves were killed, and I alone escaped.
“‘After that I wandered on for many days, living on whatever I could find,
until at last I came to a town, where I stayed for some time, looking for
employment but finding none.
“‘One day a man came up to me and said, “Are you looking for work?” “I
am,” said I. “Come with me, then,” said he; and we went to his house.
“‘When we got there he produced a camel’s skin, and said, “I shall put you
in this skin, and a great bird will carry you to the top of yonder mountain.
When he gets you there, he will tear this skin off you. You must then drive
him away and push down the precious stones you will find there. When they
are all down, I will get you down.”
“‘So he put me in the skin; the bird carried me to the top of the mountain
and was about to eat me, when I jumped up, scared him away, and then
pushed down many precious stones. Then I called out to the man to take me
down, but he never answered me, and went away.
“‘I gave myself up for a dead man, but went wandering about, until at last,
after passing many days in a great forest, I came to a house, all by itself; the old
man who lived in it gave me food and drink, and I was revived.
“‘I remained there a long time, and that old man loved me as if I were his
own son.
“‘One day he went away, and giving me the keys, told me I could open the
door of every room except one which he pointed out to me.
“‘Of course, when he was gone, this was the first door I opened. I saw a
large garden, through which a stream flowed. Just then three birds came and
alighted by the side of the stream. Immediately they changed to three most
beautiful women. When they had finished bathing, they put on their clothes,
and, as I stood watching them, they changed into birds again and flew away.
“‘I locked the door, and went away; but my appetite was gone, and I
wandered about aimlessly. When the old man came back, he saw there was
something wrong with me, and asked me what was the matter. Then I told
him I had seen those beautiful maidens, that I loved one of them very much,
and that if I could not marry her I should die.
“‘The old man told me I could not possibly have my wish. He said the three
lovely beings were the daughters of the sultan of the genii, and that their
home was a journey of three years from where we then were.
“‘I told him I couldn’t help that. He must get her for my wife, or I should
die. At last he said, “Well, wait till they come again, then hide yourself and
steal the clothes of the one you love so dearly.”
“‘So I waited, and when they came again I stole the clothes of the youngest,
whose name was Sayadaa′tee Shems.
“‘When they came out of the water, this one could not find her clothes.
Then I stepped forward and said, “I have them.” “Ah,” she begged, “give them
to me, their owner; I want to go away.” But I said to her, “I love you very
much. I want to marry you.” “I want to go to my father,” she replied. “You
cannot go,” said I.
“‘Then her sisters flew away, and I took her into the house, where the old
man married us. He told me not to give her those clothes I had taken, but to
hide them; because if she ever got them she would fly away to her old home.
So I dug a hole in the ground and buried them.
“‘But one day, when I was away from home, she dug them up and put
them on; then, saying to the slave I had given her for an attendant, “When
your master returns tell him I have gone home; if he really loves me he will
follow me,” she flew away.
“‘When I came home they told me this, and I wandered, searching for her,
many years. At last I came to a town where one asked me, “Who are you?” and
I answered, “I am Jan Shah.” “What was your father’s name?” “Taaeeghamus.”
“Are you the man who married our mistress?” “Who is your mistress?”
“Sayadaatee Shems.” “I am he!” I cried with delight.
“‘They took me to their mistress, and she brought me to her father and
told him I was her husband; and everybody was happy.
“‘Then we thought we should like to visit our old home, and her father’s
genii carried us there in three days. We stayed there a year and then returned,
but in a short time my wife died. Her father tried to comfort me, and wanted
me to marry another of his daughters, but I refused to be comforted, and have
mourned to this day. That is my story.’
Next Sultaanee Waa Neeoka said to Hasseeboo, “Now, when you go home
you will do me injury.”
Hasseeboo was very indignant at the idea, and said, “I could not be induced
to do you an injury. Pray, send me home.”
“I will send you home,” said the king; “but I am sure that you will come
back and kill me.”
And he said, “I will remember.” So the king sent him home, and he went
to his mother’s house, and she was overjoyed to find that he was not dead.
Now, the sultan of the town was very sick; and it was decided that the
only thing that could cure him would be to kill the king of the snakes, boil
him, and give the soup to the sultan.
For a reason known only to himself, the vizir had placed men at the public
baths with this instruction: “If any one who comes to bathe here has a mark
on his stomach, seize him and bring him to me.”
When Hasseeboo had been home three days he forgot the warning of
Sultaanee Waa Neeoka, and went to bathe with the other people. All of a
sudden he was seized by some soldiers, and brought before the vizir, who said,
“Take us to the home of the king of the snakes.”
So they tied him up and beat him until his back was all raw, and being
unable to stand the pain he cried, “Let up! I will show you the place.”
So he led them to the house of the king of the snakes, who, when he saw
him, said, “Didn’t I tell you you would come back to kill me?”
“The vizir.”
“Then there’s no hope for me. But you must carry me yourself.”
As they went along, the king said to Hasseeboo, “When we get to your
town I shall be killed and cooked. The first skimming the vizir will offer to
you, but don’t you drink it; put it in a bottle and keep it. The second skimming
you must drink, and you will become a great physician. The third skimming is
the medicine that will cure your sultan. When the vizir asks you if you drank
that first skimming say, ‘I did.’ Then produce the bottle containing the first,
and say, ‘This is the second, and it is for you.’ The vizir will take it, and as soon
as he drinks it he will die, and both of us will have our revenge.”
Everything happened as the king had said. The vizir died, the sultan
recovered, and Hasseeboo was loved by all as a great physician.
THE APE, THE SNAKE,AND THE LION
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
ong, long ago there lived, in a village called Keejee′jee, a woman whose
husband died, leaving her with a little baby boy. She worked hard all
L day to get food for herself and child, but they lived very poorly and
were most of the time half-starved.
When the boy, whose name was ’Mvoo′ Laa′na, began to get big, he said
to his mother, one day: “Mother, we are always hungry. What work did my
father do to support us?”
His mother replied: “Your father was a hunter. He set traps, and we ate
what he caught in them.”
“Oho!” said ’Mvoo Laana; “that’s not work; that’s fun. I, too, will set traps,
and see if we can’t get enough to eat.”
The next day he went into the forest and cut branches from the trees, and
returned home in the evening.
But after a while, when he went to his traps he found nothing in them day
after day.
One morning, however, he found that an ape had been caught in one of
the traps, and he was about to kill it, when it said: “Son of Adam, I am
Neea′nee, the ape; do not kill me. Take me out of this trap and let me go. Save
me from the rain, that I may come and save you from the sun some day.”
So ’Mvoo Laana took him out of the trap and let him go.
When Neeanee had climbed up in a tree, he sat on a branch and said to the
youth: “For your kindness I will give you a piece of advice: Believe me, men
are all bad. Never do a good turn for a man; if you do, he will do you harm at
the first opportunity.”
The second day, ’Mvoo Laana found a snake in the same trap. He started
to the village to give the alarm, but the snake shouted: “Come back, son of
Adam; don’t call the people from the village to come and kill me. I am
Neeo′ka, the snake. Let me out of this trap, I pray you. Save me from the rain
to-day, that I may be able to save you from the sun to-morrow, if you should
be in need of help.”
So the youth let him go; and as he went he said, “I will return your
kindness if I can, but do not trust any man; if you do him a kindness he will do
you an injury in return at the first opportunity.”
The third day, ’Mvoo Laana found a lion in the same trap that had caught
the ape and the snake, and he was afraid to go near it. But the lion said: “Don’t
run away; I am Sim′ba Kong′way, the very old lion. Let me out of this trap,
and I will not hurt you. Save me from the rain, that I may save you from the
sun if you should need help.”
So ’Mvoo Laana believed him and let him out of the trap, and Simba
Kongway, before going his way, said: “Son of Adam, you have been kind to
me, and I will repay you with kindness if I can; but never do a kindness to a
man, or he will pay you back with unkindness.”
The next day a man was caught in the same trap, and when the youth
released him, he repeatedly assured him that he would never forget the service
he had done him in restoring his liberty and saving his life.
Well, it seemed that he had caught all the game that could be taken in
traps, and ’Mvoo Laana and his mother were hungry every day, with nothing
to satisfy them, as they had been before. At last he said to his mother, one day:
“Mother, make me seven cakes of the little meal we have left, and I will go
hunting with my bow and arrows.” So she baked him the cakes, and he took
them and his bow and arrows and went into the forest.
The youth walked and walked, but could see no game, and finally he found
that he had lost his way, and had eaten all his cakes but one.
And he went on and on, not knowing whether he was going away from
his home or toward it, until he came to the wildest and most desolate looking
wood he had ever seen. He was so wretched and tired that he felt he must lie
down and die, when suddenly he heard some one calling him, and looking up
he saw Neeanee, the ape, who said, “Son of Adam, where are you going?”
“Well, well,” said the ape; “don’t worry. Just sit down here and rest
yourself until I come back, and I will repay with kindness the kindness you
once showed me.”
Then Neeanee went away off to some gardens and stole a whole lot of ripe
paw-paws and bananas, and brought them to ’Mvoo Laana, and said: “Here’s
plenty of food for you. Is there anything else you want? Would you like a
drink?” And before the youth could answer he ran off with a calabash and
brought it back full of water. So the youth ate heartily, and drank all the water
he needed, and then each said to the other, “Good-bye, till we meet again,” and
went their separate ways.
When ’Mvoo Laana had walked a great deal farther without finding which
way he should go, he met Simba Kongway, who asked, “Where are you going,
son of Adam?”
And the youth answered, as dolefully as before, “I don’t know; I’m lost.”
“Come, cheer up,” said the very old lion, “and rest yourself here a little. I
want to repay with kindness to-day the kindness you showed me on a former
day.”
So ’Mvoo Laana sat down. Simba Kongway went away, but soon returned
with some game he had caught, and then he brought some fire, and the young
man cooked the game and ate it. When he had finished he felt a great deal
better, and they bade each other good-bye for the present, and each went his
way.
After he had traveled another very long distance the youth came to a farm,
and was met by a very, very old woman, who said to him: “Stranger, my
husband has been taken very sick, and I am looking for some one to make him
some medicine. Won’t you make it?” But he answered: “My good woman, I
am not a doctor, I am a hunter, and never used medicine in my life. I can not
help you.”
When he came to the road leading to the principal city he saw a well, with
a bucket standing near it, and he said to himself: “That’s just what I want. I’ll
take a drink of nice well-water. Let me see if the water can be reached.”
As he peeped over the edge of the well, to see if the water was high
enough, what should he behold but a great big snake, which, directly it saw
him, said, “Son of Adam, wait a moment.” Then it came out of the well and
said: “How? Don’t you know me?”
“Well, well!” said the snake; “I could never forget you. I am Neeoka, whom
you released from the trap. You know I said, ‘Save me from the rain, and I will
save you from the sun.’ Now, you are a stranger in the town to which you are
going; therefore hand me your little bag, and I will place in it the things that
will be of use to you when you arrive there.”
So ’Mvoo Laana gave Neeoka the little bag, and he filled it with chains of
gold and silver, and told him to use them freely for his own benefit. Then they
parted very cordially.
When the youth reached the city, the first man he met was he whom he
had released from the trap, who invited him to go home with him, which he
did, and the man’s wife made him supper.
As soon as he could get away unobserved, the man went to the sultan and
said: “There is a stranger come to my house with a bag full of chains of silver
and gold, which he says he got from a snake that lives in a well. But although
he pretends to be a man, I know that he is a snake who has power to look like
a man.”
When the sultan heard this he sent some soldiers who brought ’Mvoo
Laana and his little bag before him. When they opened the little bag, the man
who was released from the trap persuaded the people that some evil would
come out of it, and affect the children of the sultan and the children of the
vizir.
Then the people became excited, and tied the hands of ’Mvoo Laana
behind him.
But the great snake had come out of the well and arrived at the town just
about this time, and he went and lay at the feet of the man who had said all
those bad things about ’Mvoo Laana, and when the people saw this they said
to that man: “How is this? There is the great snake that lives in the well, and
he stays by you. Tell him to go away.”
But Neeoka would not stir. So they untied the young man’s hands, and
tried in every way to make amends for having suspected him of being a
wizard.
Then the sultan asked him, “Why should this man invite you to his home
and then speak ill of you?”
And ’Mvoo Laana related all that had happened to him, and how the ape,
the snake, and the lion had cautioned him about the results of doing any
kindness for a man.
And the sultan said: “Although men are often ungrateful, they are not
always so; only the bad ones. As for this fellow, he deserves to be put in a sack
and drowned in the sea. He was treated kindly, and returned evil for good.”
THE SUITORS OF PRINCESS GORILLA
Place
Njambi’s Country
Persons
King Njina (Gorilla) and His Daughter
Njâgu (Elephant)
Nguwu (Hippopotamus)
Ngowa (Hog)
Njĕgâ (Leopard)
This story evidently dates back to the first introduction of Rum into
Africa. Gorilla’s “new kind of water” was Rum.
Telinga’s cheating did not finally succeed in obtaining him the wife; but
was the cause of his now living only in trees; whereas formerly he lived in the
long grass. The Telinga are very numerous, and they all look so alike that one
cannot be distinguished from another. In the story, he had arranged with all
his companions to help him drink.
In the Gorilla Country there are no lions, and there he is readily called the
King of Beasts, because of the fearful length and strength of his arms.
ing Gorilla had a daughter, whose beauty had been much praised. She
being of marriageable age, he announced to all the tribes that he
K would give her in marriage to any one who could accomplish a
certain task. He said he would not take any of the goods usually given in
payment for a wife, as dowry. But, that he had a new kind of water, such as
had never before been seen; and, whoever could drink an entire barrelful of it,
should have the prize that had been coveted by many.
So, all the tribes came together one day in the forest country of the King,
to compete for the young woman, and the paths were crowded with the
expectant suitors on their way to the King’s Court.
First, because of his size, Elephant stepped forward. He walked with his
solemn dignity, his ponderous feet sounding, tubu, tubu, as he strode toward
where the barrel stood. He could, however, scarcely suppress his indignation,
in the presence of the King, at what he considered the insultingly small test to
which he was about to be subjected. He thought in his heart, “That barrelful of
water! Why! I, Njâgu, when I take my daily bath, I spurt from my trunk many
barrelfuls over my whole body, and I drink half a barrelful at every meal. And
this! Why! I’ll swallow it down in two gulps!” He thrust his proboscis into the
barrel to draw up a big mouthful. But, he instantly withdrew it, before he
began to suck up any of it. “The new water” stung him. He lifted his trunk,
and trumpeting with rage, declared that the task was impossible.
Many in the company, who had feared that the big elephant would leave
no chance for them, secretly rejoiced at his failure; and began to hope for
themselves.
Next came Hog. He said to Gorilla, “King Gorilla, I do not boast like those
two other fellows, nor will I insult you as they have done, even if I fail. But, I
do not think I shall fail. I am accustomed to putting my nose into all sorts of
dirty places; so I shall try.” He did try, slowly and carefully. But, even he, used
to all sorts of filth and bad smells, turned from the barrel in disgust, and went
away grunting.
Then Leopard came bounding forward, boasting and jumping from side to
side to show his beautiful skin to the young woman. He derided the other
three who had preceded him. “O! you fellows! You had no chance at all, even
if you had drunk up that water. The woman would not look at you, nor live
with such blundering, awkward gawks as you. Look at my graceful body and
tail! These strong but soft paws of mine! And, as to that barrel, you shall see in
a few minutes. Though we of the Cat Tribe do not like to wet our feet, I will
do it for the sake of the woman. I’m the dandy of the Forest, and I shall go at it
more gracefully than you.” He leaped onto the barrel. But, its very fumes
sickened him. He made one vain effort. And with limp tail between his legs he
crawled away to hide his shame.
One after another of the various Beasts attempted. And all failed. Finally,
there crept forward the little Telinga. He had left the hundreds of his Tribe of
little Monkeys hidden out in the grass field. As he advanced, there was a
murmur of surprise from the unsuccessful spectators. Even King Gorilla could
not refrain from saying, “Well! my little fellow! what do you want?” Telinga
replied, “Your Majesty, did not you send word to all the Tribes that any one
might compete?” “Yes, I did,” he answered. And Telinga said, “Then I, Telinga,
small as I am, I shall try.” The King replied, “I will keep my royal word. You
may try.” “But, Your Majesty,” asked Telinga, “is it required that the barrel
must be drank at one draught? May I not, between each mouthful, take a very
short rest out in the grass?” Said Gorilla, “Certainly, just so you drink it today.”
So Telinga took a sip, and leaped off into the grass. And, apparently, he
immediately returned, and took another sip and leaped back into the grass;
and, apparently, immediately returned again. And apparently—(They were his
companions who had come one by one to help him!) Thus the barrelful of
firewater was rapidly sipped away.
King Gorilla announced Telinga as the winner of the prize.
What the young woman thought of the loss of her graceful lovers, the
Antelopes and others, is not known. For, when Telinga advanced to take her,
Leopard and others dashed at him, shouting, “You miserable little snip of a
fellow! You’ve won her; but if we can’t have her you shan’t. There! take that!
and that! and that!” as they began to beat and kick and bite him.
And he and his tribe have remained in the trees ever since, afraid to come
down to the ground.
GOSO, THE TEACHER
GEORGE W. BATEMAN
nce there was a man named Go′so, who taught children to read, not
in a schoolhouse, but under a calabash tree. One evening, while Goso
O was sitting under the tree deep in the study of the next day’s lessons,
Paa, the gazelle, climbed up the tree very quietly to steal some fruit, and in so
doing shook off a calabash, which, in falling, struck the teacher on the head
and killed him.
When his scholars came in the morning and found their teacher lying
dead, they were filled with grief; so, after giving him a decent burial, they
agreed among themselves to find the one who had killed Goso, and put him to
death.
After talking the matter over they came to the conclusion that the south
wind was the offender.
But the south wind cried: “Here! I am Koo′see, the south wind. Why are
you beating me? What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Koosee; it was you who threw
down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
But Koosee said, “If I were so powerful would I be stopped by a mud wall?”
But the mud wall cried: “Here! I am Keeyambaa′za, the mud wall. Why are
you beating me? What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Keeyambaaza; it was you who
stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the
calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
But the rat cried: “Here! I am Paan′ya, the rat. Why are you beating me?
What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paanya; it was you who bored
through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind;
and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher
Goso. You should not have done it.”
So they hunted for the cat, caught it, and beat it.
But the cat cried: “Here! I am Paa′ka, the cat. Why do you beat me? What
have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paaka; it is you that eats Paanya, the
rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee,
the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that
struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Kaamba; it is you that ties Paaka,
the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud
wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind,
threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have
done it.”
But the knife cried: “Here! I am Kee′soo, the knife. Why do you beat me?
What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Keesoo; you cut Kaamba, the rope;
that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through
Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and
Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher
Goso. You should not have done it.”
But Keesoo said, “If I were so powerful would I be burned by the fire?”
But the fire cried: “Here! I am Mo′to, the fire. Why do you beat me? What
have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Moto; you burn Keesoo, the knife;
that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat;
who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the
south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck
our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
But Moto said, “If I were so powerful would I be put out by water?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Maajee; you put out Moto, the fire;
that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the
cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall;
which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw
down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
But Maajee said, “If I were so powerful would I be drunk by the ox?”
But the ox cried: “Here! I am Ng’om′bay, the ox. Why do you beat me?
What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Ng’ombay; you drink Maajee, the
water; that puts out Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts
Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores
through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind;
and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher
Goso. You should not have done it.”
But the fly cried: “Here! I am Een′zee, the fly. Why do you beat me? What
have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Eenzee; you torment Ng’ombay, the
ox; who drinks Maajee, the water; that puts out Moto, the fire; that burns
Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who
eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which
stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the
calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”
But Eenzee said, “If I were so powerful would I be eaten by the gazelle?”
And they searched for the gazelle, and when they found it they beat it.
But the gazelle said: “Here! I am Paa, the gazelle. Why do you beat me?
What have I done?”
And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paa; you eat Eenzee, the fly; that
torments Ng’ombay, the ox; who drinks Maajee, the water; that puts out
Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that
ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza,
the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south
wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not
have done it.”
The gazelle, through surprise at being found out and fear of the
consequences of his accidental killing of the teacher, while engaged in stealing,
was struck dumb.
Then the scholars said: “Ah! he hasn’t a word to say for himself. This is the
fellow who threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. We will
kill him.”
So they killed Paa, the gazelle, and avenged the death of their teacher.
WHY GOATS BECAME DOMESTIC
Persons
Tomba-Ya-Taba (Goat)
Njâ (Leopard)
Ko (Wild-Rat)
Njâku (Elephant)
Mankind
Nyati (Ox)
oat and his mother lived alone in their village. He said to her, “I have
here a magic-medicine to strengthen one in wrestling. There is no
G one who can overcome me, or cast me down; I can overcome any
other person.”
The other Beasts heard of this boast; and they took up the challenge. First,
house-Rats, hundreds of them, came to Goat’s village, to test him. And they
began the wrestling. He overcame them, one by one, to the number of two
hundred. So, the Rats went back to their places, admitting that they were not
able to overcome him.
Then, forest-Rat came to wrestle with Goat. He overcame them also, all of
them. And they went back to their own place defeated.
Then, the Antelope came to wrestle with Goat. He overcame all the
Antelopes, every one of them; not one was able to withstand him. And they
also went back to their places.
Also, Elephant with all the elephants, came on that same challenge. Goat
overcame all the Elephants; and they too, went back to their place.
Thus, all the Beasts came, in the same way, and were overcome in the
same way, and went back in the same way.
But, there still remained one Beast, only one, Leopard, who had not made
the attempt. So he said he would go; as he was sure he could overcome. He
came. Goat overcame him also. So, it was proved that not a single beast could
withstand Goat.
At that very moment while Antelope was speaking, Leopard seized him
on the ear. Antelope cried out, “What are you killing me for?” Leopard
replied, “Show me the place where Tomba-Taba and his mother are.” So,
Antelope being afraid said, “Come tonight, and I will show you where they
sleep. And you kill them; but don’t kill me.”
While he was saying this, Goat overheard, and said to his mother, “We
must flee, lest Njâ kill us.” So, at sun-down, that evening, Goat and his mother
fled to the village of Elephant. About midnight, Leopard came to Antelope’s
village, according to appointment, and looked for Goat, but did not find him.
Leopard went to all the houses of the village, and when he came to Antelope’s
own, in his disappointment, he killed him.
Leopard kept up his search, and followed to find where Goat had gone.
Following the tracks, he came to the village of Elephant. When he arrived
there, Elephant demanded, “What’s the matter?” And the same conversation
was held, as at Antelope’s village, and the incidents happened as at that village,
ending with Elephant’s being killed by Leopard. For, Goat and his mother had
fled, and had gone to the village of Ox.
Leopard followed, and came to Ox’s village. There all the same things
were said and done, as in the other villages, and ending with Goat and his
mother fleeing, and Ox being killed.
One time, at night, Leopard came to the town of Man, in pursuit of Goat.
But Man said to Leopard, “Those Beasts whom you killed, failed to find a way
in which to kill you. But, if you come here, we will find a way.” So, that night,
Leopard went back to his village.
On another day, Mankind began to make a big trap, with two rooms in it.
They took Goat and put him in one room of the trap. Night came. Leopard
left his village, still going to seek for Goat; and he came again to the town of
Man. Leopard stood still, listened, and sniffed the air. He smelled the odor of
Goat, and was glad, and said, “So! this night I will kill him!”
Daybreak came. And people of Man’s town found Leopard in the trap,
caught fast. They took machetes and guns, and killed him. Then Man said to
Goat, “You shall not go back to the Forest; remain here always.”
This is the reason that Goats like to live with mankind, through fear of
Leopards.
LEOPARD OF THE FINE SKIN
Place
Town of King Mborakinda
Persons
King Mborakinda
Ra-Marânge, A Doctor
Njĕgâ (Leopard)
Ogula-Ya-Mpazya-Vazya, A Sorcerer
NOTE
Leopards can swim if compelled to, but they do not like to enter water, or
wet their feet in any way.
t the town of Ra-Mborakinda, where he lived with his wives and his
children and his glory, this occurred.
A He had a beloved daughter, by name Ilâmbe. He loved her much;
and sought to please her in many ways, and gave her many servants to serve
her. When she grew up to womanhood, she said that she did not wish any one
to come to ask her in marriage; that she herself would choose a husband.
“Moreover, I will never marry any man who has any, even a little bit of, blotch
on his skin.”
Her father did not like her to speak in that way; nevertheless, he did not
forbid her.
When men began to come to the father and say, “I desire your daughter
Ilâmbe for a wife,” he would say, “Go, and ask herself.” Then when the man
went to Ilâmbe’s house, and would say, “I have come to ask you in marriage,”
her only reply was a question, “Have you a clear skin, and no blotches on your
body?” If he answered, “Yes,” Ilâmbe would say, “But, I must see for myself;
come into my room.” There she required the man to take off all his clothing.
And if, on examination, she saw the slightest pimple or scar, she would point
toward it, and say, “That! I do not want you.” Then perhaps he would begin to
plead, “All my skin is right, except—.” But she would interrupt him, “No! for
even that little mark I do not want you.”
So it went on with all who came, she finding fault with even a small
pimple or scar. And all suitors were rejected. The news spread abroad that Ra-
Mborakinda had a beautiful daughter, but that no one was able to obtain her,
because of what she said about diseases of the skin.
At last, Leopard said, “Ah! this beautiful woman! I hear about her beauty,
and that no one is able to get her. I think I better take my turn, and try. But,
first I will go to Ra-Marânge.” He went to that magic-doctor, and told his
story about Ra-Mborakinda’s fine daughter, and how no man could get her
because of her fastidiousness about skins. Ra-Marânge told him, “I am too old.
I do not now do those things about medicines. Go to Ogula-ya-mpazya-
vazya.”
So, Leopard went to him. As usual, the sorcerer Ogula jumped into his
fire; and coming out with power, directed Leopard to tell what he wanted. So
he told the whole story again, and asked how he should obtain the clean body
of a man. The sorcerer prepared for him a great “medicine” by which to give
him a human body, tall, graceful, strong and clean. Leopard then went back to
his town, told his people his plans, and prepared their bodies also for a change
if needed. Having taken also a human name, Ogula, he then went to Ra-
Mborakinda, saying, “I wish your daughter Ilâmbe for wife.”
They entered the room; and Ogula-Njĕgâ removed his fine clothing.
Ilâmbe examined with close scrutiny from his head to his feet. She found not
the slightest scratch or mark; his skin was like a babe’s. Then she said, “Yes!
this is my man! truly! I love you, and will marry you!” She was so pleased with
her acquisition, that she remained in the room enjoying again a minute
examination of her husband’s beautiful skin. Then she went out, and ordered
her servants to cook food, prepare water, etc., for him; and he did not go out
of the house, nor have a longing to go back to his town, for he found that he
was loved.
On the third day, he went to tell the father, Ra-Mborakinda, that he was
ready to take his wife off to his town. Ra-Mborakinda consented. All that day,
they prepared food for the marriage-feast. But, all the while that this man-
beast, Ogula-Njĕgâ was there, Ra-Mborakinda, by his okove (a magic fetish)
knew that some evil would come out of this marriage. However, as Ilâmbe
had insisted on choosing her own way, he did not interfere.
After the marriage was over, and the feast eaten, Ra-Mborakinda called
his daughter, and said, “Ilâmbe, mine, now you are going off on your journey.”
She said, “Yes; for I love my husband.” The father asked, “Do you love him
truly?” She answered “Yes.” Then he told her, “As you are married now, you
need a present from me, as your ozendo (bridal gift).” So, he gave her a few
presents, and told her, “Go to that house,” indicating a certain house in the
town; and he gave her the key of the house, and told her to go and open the
door. That was the house where he kept all his charms for war, and fetishes of
all kinds. He told her, “When you go in, you will see two Kabala, standing side
by side. The one that will look a little dull, with its eyes directed to the
ground, take it; and leave the brighter looking one. When you are coming
with it, you will see that it walks a little lame. Nevertheless, take it.” She
objected, “But, father, why do you not give me the finer one, and not the weak
one?” But he said, “No!” and made a knowing smile, as he repeated, “Go, and
take the one I tell you.” He had reason for giving this one. The finer-looking
one had only fine looks; but this other one would some day save her by its
intelligence.
She went and took Horse, and returned to her father; and the journey was
prepared. The father sent with her, servants to carry the baggage, and to
remain with and work for her at the town of her marriage. She and her
husband arranged all their things, and said good-bye, and off they went, both
of them sitting on Horse’s back.
She observed him closely, and saw a hard, strange look on his face. She
said, “But, all this while! What have you been doing?” He made an excuse.
They went on.
And the next day, it was the same, he leaving her, and telling her to wait
till he returned; and hunting and eating as a Leopard. All this that was going
on, Ilâmbe was ignorant of. But Horse knew. He would speak after awhile, but
was not ready yet.
So it went on, until they came to Leopard’s town. Before they reached it,
Ogula-Njĕgâ, by the preparations he had first made, had changed his mother
into a human form in which to welcome his wife. Also the few people of the
town, all with human forms, welcomed her. But, they did not sit much with
her. They stayed in their own houses; and Ogula-Njĕgâ and his wife stayed in
theirs. For a few days, Leopard tried to be a pleasant Ogula, deceiving his wife.
But his taste for blood was still in his heart. He began to say, “I am going to
another town; I have business there.” And off he would go, hunting as a
leopard; when he returned, it would be late in the day. So he did on other
days.
After a time, Ilâmbe wished to make a food-plantation, and sent her men-
servants to clear the ground. Ogula-Njĕgâ would go around in the forest on
the edge of the plantation; and catching one of the men, there would return
that day one servant less.
One by one, all the men-servants were thus missing; and it was not
known what became of them, except that Leopard’s people knew. One night
Ogula-Njĕgâ was out; and, meeting one of the female servants, she too was
reported missing.
While they were talking, Leopard’s mother was out in the street, and
heard the two voices. She said to herself, “Ilâmbe, wife of my son, does she
talk with Kabala as if it was a person?” But, she said nothing to Ilâmbe, nor
asked her about it.
Night came on; and Ogula-Njĕgâ returned. He said nothing; but his face
looked hard and bad. Ilâmbe was troubled and somewhat frightened at his
ugly looks. So, at night, on retiring, she began to ask him, “But why? Has
anything displeased you?” He answered, “No; I am not troubled about
anything. Why do you ask questions?” “Because I see it in your face that your
countenance is not pleasant.” “No; there’s no matter. Everything is right. Only,
about my business, I think I must start very early.” Ogula-Njĕgâ had begun to
think, “Now she is suspecting me. I think I will not eat her this night, but will
put it off until next night.”
That night, Ilâmbe did not sleep. In the morning, Leopard said that he
would go to his business, but would come back soon. When he was gone away
to his hunting work, Ilâmbe felt lonesome, and went to Horse. He, thinking
this a good time to run away, they started at once, without letting any one in
the village know, and taking with them the three gourds. Horse said that they
must go quickly; for, Leopard, when he discovered them gone, would rapidly
pursue. So they went fast and faster, Horse looking back from time to time, to
see whether Leopard was pursuing.
After they had been gone quite a while, Ogula-Njĕgâ returned from his
business to his village, went into his house, and did not see Ilâmbe. He called
to his mother, “Where is Ilâmbe?” His mother answered, “I saw Ilâmbe with
her Kabala, talking together; they have been at it for two days.” Ogula-Njĕgâ
began to search; and, seeing the hoof-prints, he exclaimed, “Mi asaiya (shame
for me). Ilâmbe has run away. I and she shall meet today!”
He instantly turned from his human form back to that of leopard, and
went out, and pursued, and pursued, and pursued. But, it took some time
before he came in sight of the fugitives. As Horse turned to watch, he saw
Leopard, his body stretched low and long in rapid leaps. Horse said to Ilâmbe,
“Did I not tell you? There he is, coming!” Horse hasted, with foam dropping
from his lips. When he saw that Leopard was gaining on them, he told Ilâmbe
to take the gourd of peanuts from his back, and scatter them along behind on
the ground. Leopards like peanuts; and when Ogula-Njĕgâ came to these nuts,
he stopped to eat them. While he was eating, Horse gained time to get ahead.
As soon as Leopard had finished the nuts, he started on in pursuit again, and
soon began to overtake. When he approached, Horse told Ilâmbe to throw
out the gourd-seeds. She did so. Leopard delayed to eat these seeds also. This
gave Horse time to again get ahead. Thus they went on.
Then Horse said, “We do not know what he may do yet; perhaps he may
go around and across ahead of us. As there is a town which I know near here,
we had better stay there a day or two while he may be searching for us.” He
added to her, “Mind! this town where we are going, no woman is allowed to
be there, only men. So, I will change your face and dress like a man’s. Be very
careful how you behave when you take your bath, lest you die.” Ilâmbe
promised; and Horse changed her appearance. So, a fine-looking young man
was seen riding into the street of the village. There were exclamations in the
street, “This is a stranger! Hail! stranger; hail! Who showed you the way to
come here?” This young man answered, “Myself; I was out riding; I saw an
open path; and I came in.” He entered a house, and was welcomed; and they
told him their times of eating, and of play, etc. But, on the second day, as this
young man went out privately, one of the men observed, and said to the
other, “He acts like a woman!” The others asked, “Really! you think so?” He
asserted, “Yes! I am sure!” So, that day Ilâmbe was to meet with some trouble;
for, to prove her, the men had said to her, “Tomorrow we all go bathing in the
river, and you shall go with us.” She went to ask Horse what she should do. He
rebuked her, “I warned you, and you have not been careful. But, do not be
troubled; I will change you into a man.”
That night, Ilâmbe went to Horse; and he changed her. He also told her, “I
warn you again. Tomorrow you go to bathe with the others, and you may take
off your clothes; for, you are now a man. But, it is only for a short time,
because we stay here only a day and a night more, and then we must go.”
The next morning all the town went to play, and after that to bathe.
When they went into the water, the other men were all expecting to see a
woman revealed; but they saw that their visitor was a man. They admired his
wonderfully fine physique. On emerging from the water, the men said to the
one who had informed on Ilâmbe, “Did you not tell us that this was a woman?
See, how great a man he is!” As soon as they said that, the young man Ilâmbe
was vexed with him, and began to berate him, saying, “Eh! you said I was a
woman?” And she chased him and struck him. Then they all went back to the
town.
In the evening, Horse told Ilâmbe, “I tell you what to do tomorrow. In the
morning, you take your gun, and shoot me dead. After you have shot me,
these men will find fault with you, saying ‘Ah! you shoot your horse, and did
not care for it?’ But, do not say anything in reply. Cut me in pieces, and burn
the pieces in the fire. After this, carefully gather all the black ashes; and, very
early in the following morning, in the dark before any one is up, go out of the
village gateway, scatter the ashes, and you will see what will happen.”
The young man did all this. On scattering the ashes, he instantly found
himself changed again to a woman, and sitting on Horse’s back; and they were
running rapidly away.
That same day, in the afternoon, they came to the town of the father Ra-
Mborakinda. On their arrival there, they (but especially Horse) told their
whole story. Ilâmbe was somewhat ashamed of herself; for, she had brought
these troubles on herself by insisting on having a husband with a perfectly fine
skin. So, her father said, “Ilâmbe, my child, you see the trouble you have
brought on yourself. For you, a woman, to make such a demand was too
much. Had I not sent Kabala with you, what would have become of you?” The
people gave Ilâmbe a glad welcome. And she went to her house, and said
nothing more about fine skins.
THE MAGIC DRUM
Persons
Kudu (Tortoise)
Njâ (Leopard)
The reason is here given why the turtle tribe of tortoises likes to live only
in water; viz., their fear of the vengeance of the descendants of Leopard the
King, because of the whipping to which he was subjected by the trick of the
ancestor of the tortoises.
n the Ancient days, there were Mankind and all the Tribes of the Animals
living together in one country. They built their towns, and they dwelt
I together in one place. In the country of King Maseni, Tortoise and
Leopard occupied the same town; the one at one end of the street, and the
other at the other.
It happened that a time of famine came, and a very great hunger fell on the
Tribes covering that whole region of country. So, King Maseni issued a law,
thus:—“Any person who shall be found having a piece of food, he shall he
brought to me.” (That is, for the equal distribution of that food.) And he
appointed police as watchmen to look after that whole region.
The famine increased. People sat down hopelessly, and died of hunger.
Just as, even today, it destroys the poor; not only of Africa, but also in the
lands of Manga-Manĕne (White Man’s Land). And, as the days passed, people
continued sitting in their hopelessness.
One day, Tortoise went out early, going, going and entering into the
jungles, to seek for his special food, mushrooms. He had said to his wife, “I am
going to stroll on the beach off down toward the south.” As he journeyed and
journeyed, he came to a river. It was a large one, several hundred feet in
width. There he saw a coco-nut tree growing on the river-bank. When he
reached the foot of the tree, and looked up at its top, he discovered that it was
full of very many nuts. He said to himself. “I’m going up there, to gather nuts;
for, hunger has seized me.” He laid aside his traveling-bag, leaving it on the
ground, and at once climbed the tree, expecting to gather many of the nuts.
He plucked two, and threw them to the ground. Plucking another, and
attempting to throw it, it slipped from his hand, and fell into the stream
running below.
Then he exclaimed, “I’ve come here in hunger; and does my coco-nut fall
into the water to be lost?” He said to himself, “I’ll leave here, and drop into the
water, and follow the nut.” So, he plunged down, splash! into the water. He
dove down to where the nut had sunk, to get it. And he was carried away by
the current. Following the nut where the current had carried it, he came to
the landing-place of a strange Town, where was a large House. People were
there in it. And other people were outside, playing. They called to him. From
the House, he heard a Voice, saying “Take me! take me! take me!” (It was a
Drum that spoke.)
Others of those people called out to him, “There are many such Things
there. But, the kind that you will see which says, ‘Take me! take me!’ do not
take it. But, the Drum which is silent and does not speak, but only echoes,
‘wo-wo-wo,’ without any real words, you must take it. Carry it with you, and
tie it to that coco tree. Then you must say to the Drum, ‘Ngâmâ! speak as they
told to you!’ ” So, Tortoise went on, and on, to the House, and took the Drum,
and, carrying it, came back to the river bank where the Woman was. She said
to him, “You must first try to learn how to use it. Beat it!” He beat it. And, a
table appeared with all kinds of food! And, when he had eaten, he said to the
Drum, “Put it back!” And the table disappeared.
He carried the Drum with him clear back to the foot of the coco tree. He
tied it with a rattan to the tree, and then said to the Drum, “Ngâmâ! do as they
said!” Instantly, the Drum set out a long table, and put on all sorts of food.
Tortoise felt very glad and happy for the abundance of food. So he ate and ate,
and was satisfied. Again he said, “Ngâmâ! do as they said!” And Drum took
back the table and the food to itself up the tree, leaving a little food at the foot;
and then came back to the hand of Tortoise. He put this little food in his
traveling-bag, and gathered from the ground the coco-nuts he had left lying
there in the morning, and started to go back to his town. He stopped at a spot
a short distance in the rear of the town. So delighted was he with his Drum
that he tested it again. He stood it up, and with the palm of his hand struck it,
tomu! A table at once stood there, with all kinds of food. Again he ate, and
also filled his traveling-bag. Then he said to a tree that was standing near by,
“Bend down!” It bowed; and he tied the Drum to its branch; and went off into
the town. The coco-nuts and the mushrooms he handed to his women and
children. After he had entered his house, his chief wife said to him, “Where
have you been all this long while since the morning?” He replied evasively, “I
went wandering clear down to the beach to gather coco-nuts. And, this day I
saw a very fine thing. You, my wife, shall see it!” Then he drew out the food
from the bag, potatoes, and rice, and beef. And he said, “The while that we eat
this food, no one must show any of it to Njâ.” So, they two, and his other wife
and their family of children ate.
Soon day darkened; and they all went to go to sleep. And soon another day
began to break. At day-break, Tortoise started to go off to the place where
was the Drum. Arrived there, he went to the tree, and said to the Drum,
“Ngâmâ! do as they said!” The Drum came rapidly down to the ground, and
put out the table all covered with food. Tortoise took a part, and ate, and was
satisfied. Then he also filled the bag. Then said he to the Drum, “Do as you
did!” And Drum took back the things, and went up the tree. On another day,
at day-break, he went to the tree and did the same way.
On another day, as he was going, his eldest son, curious to find out where
his father obtained so much food, secretly followed him. Tortoise went to
where the Drum was. The child hid himself, and stood still. He heard his
father say to the tree, “Bend!” And its top bent down. The child saw the whole
process, as Tortoise took the Drum, stood it up, and with the palm of his
hand, struck it, vĕ! saying, “Do as you have been told to do!” At once a table
stood prepared, at which Tortoise sat down and ate. And then, when he had
finished, saying, “Tree! bend down,” it bent over for Drum to be tied to it. He
returned Drum to the branch; and the tree stood erect.
On other days, Tortoise came to the tree, and did the same way, eating;
and returning to his house; on all such occasions, bringing food for his family.
One day, the son, who had seen how to do all those things, came to the tree,
and said to it, “Bow down.” It bowed; and he did as his father had done. So
Drum spread the table. The child ate, and finished eating. Then said he to
Drum, “Put them away!” And the table disappeared. Then he took up the
Drum, instead of fastening it to the tree, and secretly carried it to town to his
own house. He went to call privately his brothers, and his father’s women, and
other members of the family. When they had come together in his house, at
his command, the Drum did as usual; and they ate. And when he said to the
Drum, “Put away the things!” it put them away.
Tortoise came that day from the forest where he had been searching for
the loved mushrooms for his family. He said to himself, “Before going into the
town, I will first go to the tree to eat.” As he approached the tree, when only a
short distance from it, the tree was standing as usual, but the Drum was not
there! He exclaimed, “Truly, now, what is this joke of the tree?” As he neared
the foot of the tree, still there was no Drum to be seen! He said to the tree,
“Bow down!” There was no response! He passed on to the town, took his axe,
and returned at once to the tree, in anger saying, “Lest I cut you down, bend!”
The tree stood still. Tortoise began at once with his axe chopping, Ko! ko!
The tree fell, toppling to the ground, tomu! He said to it, “You! produce the
Drum, lest I cut you in pieces!” He split the tree all into pieces; but he did not
see the Drum. He returned to the town; and, as he went, he walked anxiously
saying to himself, “Who has done this thing?” When he reached his house, he
was so displeased that he declined to speak. Then his eldest son came to him,
and said, “O! my father! why is it that you are silent and do not speak? What
have you done in the forest? What is it?” He replied, “I don’t want to talk.” The
son said, “Ah! my father! you were satisfied when you used to come and eat,
and you brought us mushrooms. I am the one who took the Drum.” Tortoise
said to him, “My child, now bring out to us the Drum.” He brought it out of an
inner room. Then Tortoise and the son called together all their people
privately, and assembled them in the house. They commanded the Drum. It
did as it usually did. They ate. Their little children took their scraps of
potatoes and meat of wild-animals, and, in their excitement, forgot orders,
and went out eating their food in the open street. Other children saw them,
and begged of them. They gave to them. Among them were children of
Leopard, who went and showed the meat to their father.
All suddenly, Leopard came to the house of Tortoise, and found him and
his family feasting. Leopard said, “Ah! Chum! you have done me evil. You are
eating; and I and my family are dying with hunger!” Tortoise replied, “Yes, not
today, but tomorrow you shall eat.” So, Leopard returned to his house.
After that, the day darkened. And they all went to lie down in sleep. Then,
the next day broke.
Tortoise then went off by himself to the coco tree (whither he had secretly
during the night carried the Drum). Arrived at the foot of the tree, he desired
to test whether its power had been lost by the use of it in his town. So, he gave
the usual orders; and they were, as usually obeyed. Tortoise then went off
with the Drum, carrying it openly on his shoulder, into the town, and directly
to the house of Leopard, and said to him, “Call all your people! Let them
come!” They all came into the house; and the people of Tortoise also. He gave
the usual commands. At once, Drum produced abundance of food, and a table
for it. So, they all ate, and were satisfied. And Drum took back the table to
itself. Drum remained in the house of Leopard for about two weeks. It ended
its supply of food, being displeased at Leopard’s rough usage of itself; and
there was no more food. Leopard went to Tortoise, and told him, “Drum has
no more food. Go, and get another.” Tortoise was provoked at the abuse of his
Drum, but he took it, and hung it up in his house.
At this time, the watchmen heard of the supply of food at Leopard’s house,
and they asked him about it. He denied having any. They asked him, “Where
then did you get this food which we saw your children eating?” He said, “From
the children of Kudu.” The officers went at once to King Maseni, and
reported, “We saw a person who has food.” He inquired, “Who is he?” They
replied, “Kudu.” The King ordered “Go ye, and summon Kudu.” They went
and told Tortoise, “The King summons you.” Tortoise asked, “What have I
done to the King? Since the King and I have been living in this country, he has
not summoned me.” Nevertheless, he obeyed and journeyed to the King’s
house. The King said to him, “You are keeping food, while all the Tribes are
dying of hunger? You! bring all those foods!” Tortoise replied, “Please excuse
me! I will not come again today with them. But, tomorrow, you must call for
all the tribes.”
The next morning, the King had his bell rung, and an order announced,
“Any person whatever, old or young, come to eat!” The whole community
assembled at the King’s house. Tortoise also came from his town, holding his
Drum in his hand. The distant members of that Tribe, (not knowing and not
having heard what that Drum had been doing) twitted him, “Is it for a dance?”
Entering into the King’s house, Tortoise stood up the Drum; with his
palm he struck it, vĕ! saying, “Let every kind of food appear!” It appeared. The
town was like a table, covered with every variety of food. The entire
community ate, and were satisfied; and they dispersed. Tortoise took the
Drum, and journeyed back to his town. He spoke to his hungry family, “Come
ye!” They came. They struck the Drum; it was motionless; and nothing came
from it! They struck it again. Silent! (It was indignant at having been used by
other hands than those of Tortoise.) So, they sat down with hunger.
The next day, Tortoise went rapidly off to the coco tree, climbed it,
gathered two nuts, threw one into the river, dropped into the stream, and
followed the nut as he had done before. He came as before to that landing-
place, and to the Woman, and told her about the failure of the Drum. She told
him that she knew of it, and directed him to go and take another. He went on
to that House, and to those People. And they, as before, asked him, “Kudu!
whither goest thou?” He replied, “You know I have come to take my coco-
nut.” But they said, “No! leave the nut, and take a Drum.” And, as before, they
advised him to take a silent one. So, he came to the House of Drums. These
called to him, “Take me! take me!” Then, he thought to himself, “Yes! I’ll take
one of those Drums that talk. Perhaps they will have even better things than
the other.” So, he took one, and came out of the House, and told those People
“I have taken. And, now, for my journey.”
He started from the landing-place, and on up the river, to the foot of the
coco-tree. He tied the Drum to the tree with a cord, as before, set it up, and
gave it a slap, vĕ! And a table stood there! He said, “Ngâmâ! do as you usually
do!” Instantly, there were thrown down on the table, mbwâ! whips instead of
food. Tortoise, surprised, said, “As usual!” The Drum picked up one of the
whips, and beat Tortoise, vĕ! He cried out with pain, and said to the Drum,
“But, now do also as you do. Take these things away.” And Drum returned the
table and whips to itself. Tortoise regretfully said to himself, “Those People
told me not to take a Drum that talked; but my heart deceived me.”
So, taking up the Drum, he came to his own town, and went at once to the
house of Leopard. To whom he said, “To-morrow come with your people and
mine to the town of King Maseni.” Leopard rejoiced at the thought, “This is
the Drum of food!”
Then Tortoise journeyed to the King’s town, and said, “I have found food,
according to your order. Call the people tomorrow.”
In the morning, the King’s bell was rung, and his people, accompanied by
those of Tortoise and Leopard, came to his house. Tortoise privately spoke to
his own people, “No one of you must follow me into the house. Remain
outside of the window.”
Tortoise said to the King, “The food of today must be eaten only inside of
your house.” So, the King’s people, with those of Leopard, entered into the
house. There, Tortoise said, “We shall eat this food only if all the doors and
windows are fastened.” So, they were fastened (excepting one which Tortoise
kept open near himself). Then, the Drum was sounded, and Tortoise
commanded it, “Do as you have said.” And, the tables appeared. But, instead of
food, were whips. The people wondered, “Ah! what do these mean? Where do
they come from?” Tortoise stationed himself by the open window, and
commanded the Drum, “As usual!” Instantly the whips flew about the room,
lashing everybody, even the King, and especially Leopard. The thrashing was
great, and Leopard and his people were crying with pain. Their bodies were
injured, being covered with cuts.
But, Tortoise had promptly jumped out of the window. And, standing
outside, he ordered, “Ngâmâ! do as you do!” And the whips and tables
returned to it, and the whipping ceased. But, Tortoise knew that the angry
crowd would try to seize and kill him. So, taking advantage of the confusion
in the house, he and his people fled to the water of the river, and scattered,
hiding among the logs and roots in the stream. As he was disappearing,
Leopard shouted after him, “You and I shall not see each other! If we do, it
will be you who will be killed!”
WHY THE SUN AND THE MOON LIVE IN
THE SKY
ELPHINSTONE DAYRELL
any years ago the sun and water were great friends, and both lived
on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water,
M but the water never returned his visits. At last the sun asked the
water why it was that he never came to see him in his house, the water replied
that the sun’s house was not big enough, and that if he came with his people
he would drive the sun out.
He then said, “If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large
compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my
people are very numerous, and take up a lot of room.”
The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he
returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile
when he opened the door. The sun told the moon what he had promised the
water, and the next day commenced building a huge compound in which to
entertain his friend.
When it was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the
next day.
When the water arrived, he called out to the sun, and asked him whether
it would be safe for himto enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, come in, my
friend.”
The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the
water animals.
Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe,
and the sun again said, “Yes,” so more water came in.
When the water was level with the top of a man’s head, the water said to
the sun, “Do you want more of my people to come?” and the sun and moon
both answered, “Yes,” not knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until
the sun and moon had to perch themselves on the top of the roof.
Again the water addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and
more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the
roof, and the sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they
have remained ever since.
Contos folclóricos africanos
Vol. 1
Ga’so, o professor
O tambor mágico
Literatura Livre
Ficha técnica
LITERATURA LIVRE
tradutores
[translators]
produtor executivo
[executive producer]
Ricardo Giassetti
editores
[editors]
Renato Roschel, Gabriel Naldi
revisores
[proofreading]
diretora de arte
[art director]
Larissa Meneghini
ilustrações
[illustrations]
André Ducci
editoração digital
[digital art]
Fernando Ribeiro
FICHA TÉCNICA
ABRAM SZAJMAN
superintendentes
[assistant directors]
técnico-social
[social technician]
JOEL NAIMAYER PADULA
comunicação social
[social communication]
IVAN GIANNINI
gerentes
[departments]
sesc digital
GILBERTO PASCHOAL
ação cultural
[cultural action]
presidente
[president]
Ricardo Giassetti
diretores
[board]
ISBN: 978-85-455108-5-7
Zanzibar Tales:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37472
1.1.